#WhatToReadWednesday | Green Reads

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, so I thought I’d do some green reads. I did that a few years ago, so there might be some repeats, but what are you gonna do? 😆

I’ll Be Your Drill, Soldier by Crystal Rose

I should reread this, but I’m afraid to. I loved it when I first read it many, many years ago, and now I fear I won’t. I remember laughing a lot and then some moments made me want to cry. One day I might dare read it again.

I'll be you drill, soldierRyan Gracin had a good life until he told his parents he was gay. Since they yanked their support for college he had to find a way to pay for it. Little did he know that joining the Army was going to change his life forever. Especially when he was introduced to a Drill Sergeant who was nicknamed ‘Big Daddy’.

Phillip Grabowski had joined the Army to follow in his father’s footsteps; by the time Ryan entered, he had already made a name for himself. He was a soldier’s soldier, but Ryan was making it really hard for him to remember that.

https://books2read.com/IllBeYourDrillSoldier

Motel. Pool. by Kim Fielding.

I’ve been glancing at this lately, thinking maybe it’s time for a reread. Awesome ghost story!

Motel. Pool.In the mid-1950s, Jack Dayton flees his working-class prospects in Omaha and heads to Hollywood, convinced he’ll be the next James Dean. But sleazy casting couches don’t earn him stardom, and despair leads to a series of poor decisions that ultimately find him at a cheap motel off Route 66, lifeless at the bottom of the pool.

Sixty years later, Tag Manning, feeling hopeless and empty, flees his most recent relationship mistake and takes to the open road. On a roundabout route to Las Vegas, he pulls over to rest at an isolated spot on Route 66. There’s no longer a motel or pool, but when Tag resumes his journey to Vegas, he finds he’s transporting a hitchhiking ghost. Jack and Tag come to find much-needed friends in each other, but one man is a phantom and the other is strangely cursed. Time is running out for each of them, and they must face the fact that a future together may not only be a gamble… it may not be in the cards.

https://books2read.com/MotelPool

Strain by Amelia C. Gormley

I’ve only read this story in this series. I like a good post-apocalyptic story, and I enjoyed this, but I’m extremely boring when it comes to monogamy. I don’t mind the main character going from one relationship to another, but I don’t do cheating, and I don’t do multiple partners if I can avoid it.

StrainIn a world with little hope and no rules, the only thing they have to lose is themselves.

Rhys Cooper is a dead man. He’s spent years hiding from the virus that wiped out most of the human race, but an act of futile heroism has him counting down his remaining days. The timely arrival of superhuman soldiers offers some feeble hope–but only if Rhys can reconcile himself to doing what is necessary to take advantage of it.

Sergeant Darius Murrell has seen too much death and too little tenderness. His job is seeking out the infected to put them out of their misery, or sending the uninfected survivors to a safe haven where he and his fellow Juggernaut troops will never be welcomed. Rhys’s situation is different, though. Not only is there an improbable chance that Darius won’t have to put a bullet in Rhys’s head, but he has somehow managed to get under Darius’s skin.

The virus Rhys must infect himself with in order to survive is sexually transmitted, and optimizing his chance of exposure requires him to submit as often as possible to Darius–and the other soldiers. Though the boundaries of morality have shifted in this harsh new world, Darius and Rhys question whether their humanity is too high a price to pay for Rhys’s survival.
 

https://books2read.com/Strain

Think of England by K.J. Charles

Allow me to fangirl for a moment. I love this one! Amazing characters, nice mystery, and creepy caves. What more can you wish for?

Think of EnglandLie back and think of England…

England, 1904. Two years ago, Captain Archie Curtis lost his friends, fingers, and future to a terrible military accident. Alone, purposeless and angry, Curtis is determined to discover if he and his comrades were the victims of fate, or of sabotage.

Curtis’s search takes him to an isolated, ultra-modern country house, where he meets and instantly clashes with fellow guest Daniel da Silva. Effete, decadent, foreign, and all-too-obviously queer, the sophisticated poet is everything the straightforward British officer fears and distrusts.

As events unfold, Curtis realizes that Daniel has his own secret intentions. And there’s something else they share—a mounting sexual tension that leaves Curtis reeling.

As the house party’s elegant facade cracks to reveal treachery, blackmail and murder, Curtis finds himself needing clever, dark-eyed Daniel as he has never needed a man before…

https://books2read.com/ThinkofEngland

Secrets by Jordan Castillo Price

This is the fourth story in the series, so I’m suggesting reading the first three first, but the cover is pretty green so I’m including it. I reread the first seven of this recently, and I love Vic. He’s an awesome character.

SecretsVictor Bayne’s job as a PsyCop involves tracking down dead people and getting them to spill their guts about their final moments. It’s never been fun, per se. But it’s not usually this annoying.

Vic has just moved in with his boyfriend Jacob, he can’t figure out where anything’s packed, and his co-worker is pressuring him to have a housewarming party.

Can’t a guy catch a break?

On a more sinister note, Vic discovers there’s absolutely no trace of him online. No trace of anyone else who trained at “Camp Hell,” either.

Everyone Vic knows has signed a mysterious set of papers to ensure his “privacy.” The contracts are so confidential that even Vic has never heard of them. But Jacob might have.

What other secrets has Jacob been keeping?

https://books2read.com/JCPSecrets

The Ego Wall

I have a few green ones too…

kissesandcabins-small-1

Kace Channing has been best friends with Luke Holland for thirty-five years. He can’t imagine his world without him. But over the last twelve months, they’ve hardly seen one another. And life without Luke seems empty.

When Luke shows up on Kace’s doorstep, asking for a place to stay, Kace is happy to say yes. But he isn’t prepared for the kiss that follows, or ready to admit he could kiss Luke forever. What they already have is too important.

And when Luke, the least outdoorsy person Kace knows, tells him he’s buying a cabin in the woods, Kace tries to talk him out of it. But Luke’s made up his mind. He says they need it, the two of them.

But won’t kisses and cabins ruin their friendship?

https://books2read.com/KissesandCabins

when skies are gray

Levi Campbell made one huge, stupid mistake.

When his older boyfriend fears he’s holding Levi back from fulfilling his youthful dreams, he encourages him to break free and seek adventure. Levi, hurt and confused, does just that … But in an immature act of rebellion, he enlists in the army. The army!

Levi never wanted to be a soldier, and he never, ever wanted to go to faraway places, but he is now committed to serving his country for two whole years.

Madoc Griffiths did the right thing when he let Levi go, he knows he did, but if it was the right thing, then why can’t he move on? Every night he dreams about Levi; every day he misses him. But Levi is young, and Madoc will not stand in the way of Levi following his dreams.

But being a soldier isn’t Levi’s dream.

There is nothing Levi wants more than to do his time and return home to Northfield and fight for his man. Madoc was sure he’d be able to move on, but once he hears Levi will be home on a two-week leave, he can think of nothing except seeing him again. But can he stand to be with his lover for two weeks and then let him leave to fight a war?

https://books2read.com/WhenSkiesAreGray

Pine Tree Mary

Detective Quinn Manning wants nothing more than to see Diamond Dace, one of Fagerdal’s most notorious drug lords, behind bars. After years of the man eluding the authorities, when Manning accidentally stumbles onto an opportunity to catch the powerful dealer red-handed, he doesn’t hesitate. But what should be a simple tail instead drops Manning into a real-life world of myth and legend.

Hush is a hulder, a forest spirit also known as a pine tree Mary. Since the beginning of time, his people have lived in the forest, feeding off the energy they derive from the lust and desires of passing hunters. But Hush is an abomination, the only male of his kind.

After a lifetime of starvation, Hush has struck a deal with a human. A simple trade that will give the human what he desires and keep Hush from wasting away completely.

When Manning saves a young man from Diamond and one of his men, his view of reality is altered forever. And Hush, who has never met anyone like Manning, finds the man’s attraction to him enough to finally stave off his constant hunger.

Together they set out to rescue Manning’s partner, and their connection to one another grows. But can a human detective have a future with a creature of the forest, a creature who isn’t supposed to exist?

https://books2read.com/PineTreeMary

Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Sale

booksToday is the last day of Smashwords Read an Ebook Week Sale, and my books are 50% off, most of them at least. I won’t list them all here because that would be too tedious LOL

The Drunken Dog, which was released a couple of weeks ago, is also 50% off, so if you haven’t had the time to grab it yet, now’s a great time!

Holly’s books are 50% off too – you’ll find them here.

The Drunken Dog

thedrunkendog

Zev Nightfall has a secret. For two years, he’s been the beta in a loosely knitted werewolf pack, but he’s not a werewolf. He’s a crossbreed, part wolf, part fae, which is a death sentence in most packs. That’s not his only problem. One night he meets Otis, a vampire. Shifters and vampires aren’t friends, yet fighting is the last thing on Zev’s mind.

Otis Miller is in the middle of rebuilding his rockstar persona. Again. A hundred years ago, all he had to do was to move when people started noticing him not ageing. With cameras and social media, it doesn’t work anymore, and he isn’t sure he has the energy to start over. Then there is the shifter coming to the bar where he’s singing. He makes Otis want to jump off the stage and never look back.

Zev knows he shouldn’t get involved with a vampire; he has enough problems as it is. But Otis is alone and vulnerable, and it tugs at Zev’s heartstrings. Normally, Otis stays away from other supernatural beings, but something about Zev makes him want to curl up on his lap and forget about the world around them. But how would two people from enemy species make things work, and will Zev’s pack ever accept not only a crossbreed but a vampire as well?

Buy links: 

Gay Paranormal Romance: 12,121 words 

JMS Books :: Amazon :: books2read.com/TheDrunkenDog :: Smashwords (50% off)

Guest Post | The World of Hellbound by Alexa Piper

Today, we have Alexa Piper on a visit and she’s here to tell us about her Hellbound series. Welcome, Alexa!


The writer brain converts whatever it can get its synapses on into story, into whole worlds. One of the ones my writer brain especially enjoyed creating is Lucy’s and Nelly’s world in Hellbound (don’t let the names fool you; they are both guys, and one’s the Devil. He explains why he goes by Lucy in book 1.)

Hellbound is a world in which magic is a part of reality and everyday life. People know it exists. There is fear and bigotry toward magic users, but that doesn’t feature very prominently into the plot of this series. There are also gods or immortals, and their powers differ quite a bit from the average human magic user. Hellbound comes at the world more from the divine perspective, but of course there are some contact and friction points. Basically, when the Devil knocks on your door and wants you to return a favor (with interest,) things will be set in motion.

The Devil sounds a bit bleak and dangerous, but Lucy isn’t that dangerous (unless you are the necromancer he wants.) Lionel, aka Nelly, is a powerful necromancer, and he uses his powers as a police consultant. He doesn’t like all the blood and gore, but at his core, Lionel wants to make sure to get the victims of violent crimes justice. In fact, Lionel is the kind of softie who will let even a cursed poodle live. And give said poodle to the Devil because in Lionel’s apartment, pets aren’t allowed.

Now, add a dragon mother and an angel who cares, and you have a dark rom com (with steam.)

If any of this sounds like your kind of thing, give the Hellbound series a try! Book 3, The Devil’s Demigod, is available now, and it will not be the last you get to hear of the Devil and his necromancer.

~~~

The complete series at various vendors: https://books.bookfunnel.com/hellboundmmromanceseries

The Devil’s Demigod (Book 3)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S14DZ34

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60381631-the-devils-demigod

Haven’t met the Devil yet? You can, today:

The Devil’s Necromancer (Book 1) Contains #dubcon elements.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G1Z9M8N

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58990719-the-devil-s-necromancer

The Devil’s Boyfriend (Book 2) 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Q4MY2M7

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60097979-the-devil-s-boyfriend

 

The Devil’s Demigod (Hellbound 3)

Release Date: Mar 11, 2022

Lionel must deal with new magic and unfamiliar love while struggling with the truth of his origins.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S14DZ34

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3gDipR3

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3swKK0X

Apple: https://apple.co/3oyiHgb

Changeling Press: https://bit.ly/3uHNcUT

#paranormalromance #romancereaders #paranormalbook #devil #demonromance #bdsm #LGBTQromance #urbanfantasy #mmromance #gayromance #demonromance #necromancerromance

 

Blurb:

Not long ago, necromancer Lionel didn’t know who his parents were or why they abandoned him. He’s starting to think that ignorance was bliss as the fact he has a death goddess for a mother is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. That his father is a murderous magic user comes as an even darker revelation.

Lucifer is well aware that his boyfriend and powerful necromancer Lionel is not the easiest person to love, but Lucifer is the Devil, and he doesn’t lie, not even to himself. He’ll take Lionel any way he can get him, and Lucifer will do whatever it takes to keep Lionel safe. It’s turning into a fulltime occupation with Lionel’s penchant for attracting murderous individuals.

Lionel will have to come to grips with his own still unfamiliar demigod magic before the past can catch up with him, but he also needs to figure out if and how he can love the Devil. Lucifer cannot wait for his long game to tame his stubborn necromancer to bear fruit, but before the Devil can savor his prize, he might have to rescue Lionel yet again, this time from getting lost in the labyrinth of the past.

EXCERPT:

The Devil’s Demigod (Hellbound 3)

Alexa Piper

All rights reserved.

Copyright ©2022 Alexa Piper

Lucifer

I stood in the too-high snow outside of the dragon mother’s house, leaning on the shovel and staring at my phone.

Sleeping in your arms was nice, Nelly had texted. Well, if it really was the PTSD getting him to soften up finally, I approved.

I love holding you, babe, I texted back. I’ll do it whenever you need me to.

He didn’t immediately respond to that, so I cleared away some snow, which was a damn workout. Across the street, one of the dragon mother’s neighbors was watching me unsubtly from a window. I ran a gloved hand through my hair and hoped it made them gasp.

After five minutes, Nelly hadn’t texted back, and I leaned the shovel against the dragon mother’s house.

“You are not done,” she said from where she looked down on me from a window on the second floor.

“Tiamat, I am the Devil, and I am taking a break,” I said, trying to use lack of candor to circumvent the truth.

“Dodging your chores is how even the Devil gets a permanent bad-hair-day curse, Lucy.”

Well, to hell went the circumnavigation of truth. “Nelly didn’t text me back, so I need to go check on him. I’ll get my chores done, Tiamat.”

“Ah, the tribulations of young love. You’ll need the good hair, then,” she said and closed the window back up again. What I wouldn’t give to know what was going on in her head sometimes. And I was more than my perfect hair. I had character. And he loved my wings.

I teleported to the station, to right outside Nelly’s office, which was basically a broom closet. The door was closed, and I heard wet noises from inside that made me burst straight in.

Marc Deacon, instead of doing what I knew he wanted to with my boyfriend, was sitting in a cheap folding chair and crying. Good for him. I’d have given him a genuine reason for tears if I’d found him fondling Nelly, like a missing tongue or twisted testicles.

“What? I didn’t think you’d be the gloating type,” the unskilled necromancer said.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning Lionel picked you.” He shook his head and rubbed at his swollen eyes. “He’s too good for you. I don’t care if you turn my bones to jelly, but Lionel is smart and shy and sexy and really funny when he opens up, and you don’t deserve to use him for your own amusement and cheat on him while you do it.” He looked back up at me, but even my hellpoodle had a more intimidating glare. “You could have anyone, I’m sure. Several anyones. Let him go, please. He just — he just deserves something real, and I can give that to him. I want to.”

When had my charm ever failed me so massively? With Marc Deacon, I understood, a little, because he wanted my boyfriend, and badly. Still, he didn’t even have a little crush on me, hadn’t even fantasized a little about a threesome? And Christine was a mystery of a different order. I had to find out about whether she liked poker or not already.

“You have no idea what Nelly wants and definitely don’t know what he needs. You’d do better finding another man to pine after,” I told Marc Deacon and closed the door behind me. Necromancers. They all came with issues, apparently.

Before I could look around and locate my once again errant boyfriend, I felt the sharp sting of one of the defense spells built into his necklace activate. It was close, so I ran rather than teleported, and good thing, because it allowed me to feel the magic that was being hurled at him, even as I cracked open the office door behind which I could sense the necklace’s protective spell flare bright and hot.

This was siphon magic. It wasn’t so common that I knew it well, although I’d felt Sephy use it when I’d visited her and Hades.

This siphon magic was something else entirely, and just from the strength of it, from the elegance with which the siphon wove its magic, from the sheer, irrefutable force of it, I could tell the immensity of power the person who’d made it had access to. And since I had no doubt at all that the maker of this siphon was Ariadne, I knew where Nelly got his brutish power. Once he learned to really own and use it, refine it rather than just go smash with it, my boyfriend would be magnificent, something to behold. I’d take him even if he weren’t. But the more powerful he was, the more I would flaunt him, of course.

I pulled the office door open all the way. Several equally concerning things made up the scene ahead of me, and all of it was so dramatically crafted by the terrors of the real world that it should have been a painting set in oil rather than happening.

If reality were a painting, it would be called something to invoke hubris, like The Reclamation of the Prodigal Son, because the man on my left, beautiful like Nelly was, but darker in every aspect of his features and with cruel lines around his mouth and eyes, was without a doubt the man who wanted to be a bull, the beast trapped in a labyrinth by the goddess he had loved or lured into loving him.

I could guess what the Minotaur wanted with Nelly.

About Alexa Piper:

Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them.

Follow Alexa on social media: linktr.ee/AlexaPiper